'A fox in the box - that's Vipotnik's quality'published at 09:10 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty ImagesThere was a knowing look from Sergej Jakirovic when the Hull City boss was asked about Zan Vipotnik's sharp finish in the Tigers' draw at Swansea City on Saturday.
Bosnian Jakirovic, 48, coached a host of clubs before moving to Humberside this summer.
Among his former employers are Slovenian side Maribor, where he worked in 2020 with a young Vipotnik.
And Jakirovic says the 23-year-old, who is in easily his best run of form since moving to Swansea in 2024, is a player who will score goals if given the chances.
"He was my player when he was 18 years old," Jakirovic said.
"I'm very glad that he has developed to become a national team player with Slovenia. That's very good.
"He's a goalscorer who is very dangerous in the box. Maybe on the pitch he is not so, but he is a fox in the box.
"If you lose him for one second he will score the goal. That is his quality."
Image source, Getty ImagesVipotnik put Swansea in front against Hull, drilling the ball low into the net after buying himself a yard of space in the penalty area.
Alan Sheehan was ultimately left frustrated after John Egan's 97th-minute goal earned Hull a 2-2 draw, but Vipotnik's form is great news for the Swansea head coach.
Vipotnik managed seven goals last season, his first in English football. Despite an injury in pre-season he has moved up a level at the start of this campaign, having scored four goals in his past four matches – and netted for Slovenia during the international break.
Vipotnik must keep on delivering in order to keep his place, with Liam Cullen and £6m signing Adam Idah beginning on the bench against Hull.
The hope for Sheehan will be that the increased competition will help ensure Vipotnik continues to fire.



























